I went to look at buying a e36 1999 compact today, it was immaculate with 113000 miles on the clock , took the car for a test drive, 100% perfect was just about to purchase the car and check the oil filler cap and there was milky cream slime underneath and also checked the oil dipstick and the same, the was a milky slime above where the engine oil was.

I have searched around and it appears that sometimes a milky foam appears if the car is stop started often or has stood still for a long time.

Has anyone got a sure fire way to test it out or any advice on how to proceed.

Thanks in advance!!

tatiana

12-03-2009 12:23 PM

Someone once told me it happens if you don't warm the car up before you drive it that happens. I do not know if it's true though

E-rock

12-03-2009 01:06 PM

There was a really nice valve cover gasket DIY done by a 46er who had similar symptoms. It was coated with a foamy, slimy coating all along the underside of the valve cover caused by driving a short distance and then shutting the car before the engine could warm up. Nothing to worry about and can be cleaned easily. I'd still take the car to an indie shop and get a compression and leakdown test just to be safe.